Hi everyone! My name is Jacqueline Walters, and I am in Plus3’s South Korea program. I am a first-year SCI student majoring in Data Science and minoring in Business from Glenside, Pennsylvania. Here at Pitt I’m involved in a few clubs such as Smart Women Securities (SWS), Women in Computer Science (WiCS), and the Computer Science Club (CSC). I am also very passionate about tennis! I’ve been playing for seven years, and back at home, I teach tennis to students of all ages.

This summer I’ll be traveling to South Korea, which I’m very excited about. I’ve never been to Asia before, and I’ve always been fascinated by Korean culture, from the food and history to the technology and vibrant fashion scene. I chose this program mainly because I was interested in learning about smart systems and how they’re shaping the future, but the fact that it takes place in Korea was the perfect bonus. It feels like the ideal combination of academic growth and cultural exploration, and I’m so excited to explore both.

I’m at a point in my life where I’m really exploring who I want to become professionally, thinking about what kinds of problems I want to solve, what environments inspire me, and how technology can shape the future. The Plus3 South Korea program is the perfect opportunity for me to deepen that exploration. South Korea is one of the world’s leaders in advanced technology and digital innovation, and experiencing that environment firsthand will give me a clearer sense of where I fit in this rapidly evolving field. This trip will push me to think more globally and develop the kind of perspective that will shape my future career.

I’m really looking forward to this trip and the personal growth it will bring.